That number could increase as news trickles out over the next few days. But with the NFL’s early-entry deadline having come and gone, it appears the Pac-12 suffered limited damage.

It’s all about degrees, right?

The number of underclassmen declaring for the 2019 draft wasn’t going to be zero, and it wasn’t going to be limited to two or three.

But in both size and quality, the list of departures constitutes a best-case scenario for the conference. Not since 2013 have so few players left early.

(Of course, there’s a reflective component, too: The Pac-12’s lack of high-value underclassmen, as compared to previous years and to other Power Fives, helped shape a season in which the conference did not produce a top-tier, playoff-caliber team.)

While acknowledging the potential for additional names to surface — the NFL will release the official list of draft-eligible underclassmen on Friday — the Hotline, of course, has reaction to the known exodus:

*** For the first time in at least a decade, no USC players are leaving early.

(It might be more than a decade; the Hotline didn’t look back beyond that point.)

That’s a fairly damning commentary on the evaluation, teaching and development taking place within the program, which has few equals over time as a pipeline to the NFL.

*** The Pac-12 got the best possible news at the most important position.

With Oregon’s Justin Herbert and Stanford’s KJ Costello passing on the draft, and with Arizona’s Khalil Tate eschewing a transfer, the conference will have a fairly impressive lineup of quarterbacks in 2019.

*** No team got hit harder by draft decisions than Stanford.

The Cardinal lost its two of its top playmakers: Smith and Arcega-Whiteside combined for 110 catches; the latter had 14 touchdowns.

Add the departures of senior tailback Bryce Love and receiver Trenton Irwin, and Stanford’s skill positions will undergo an overhaul.

And yet, had Costello departed, it would have been much worse.

*** No team benefitted more from draft decisions than Utah.

The Utes could have lost four players. Instead, each opted to return: tailback Zack Moss, defensive end Bradlee Anae, defensive tackle Leki Fotu and cornerback Julian Blackmon.

Combine their presence in 2019 with the expected returnees at other positions, and the Utes are the early favorite to win the South.

*** Actually, check that: Oregon was the biggest winner.

Herbert’s return has sweeping implications, not just for the Ducks but the conference: The attention and interest that comes with having the NFL’s top-rated quarterback is invaluable.

Herbert lost his top receiver, Dillon Mitchell, but will have one of the best offensive lines in the country — none of the 2018 starters are turning pro — and playmakers across the defense, thanks to linebacker Troy Dye’s decision to return.

*** Another team that dodged a worst-case scenario: Washington.

Rapp and Murphy are first-round talents whose departures were assumed. But the Huskies could have lost all-conference slot corner Myles Bryant, too.

Instead, he’s coming back — as the lone returning starter in UW’s secondary.

The conference’s best hopes for ’19, based on what we know right now, reside in Eugene and Salt Lake City. And neither program got hammered by the draft.

Why we need your support: Like so many other providers of local journalism across the country, the Hotline’s parent website, mercurynews.com, recently moved to a subscription model. A few Hotline stories will remain free each month (as will the newsletter), but for access to all content, you’ll need to subscribe. The good news for Hotline faithful: I’ve secured a discount: 12 cents per day for 12 months. Click here to subscribe. And thanks for your loyalty.

Jon Wilner has been covering college sports for decades and is an AP top-25 football and basketball voter as well as a Heisman Trophy voter. He was named Beat Writer of the Year in 2013 by the Football Writers Association of America for his coverage of the Pac-12, won first place for feature writing in 2016 in the Associated Press Sports Editors writing contest and is a five-time APSE honoree.

Each week, our list of unanswered questions about the 2020 college football season seems to expand. Commissioners and athletic directors across the Power Five have perfected the art of not making decisions until they have to (smart) and not answering questions that have bad answers (also smart). Our list includes, but is not limited to: -- What happens if, heaven...

Rarely is a statement issued or comment uttered by Pac-12 conference and campus officials that doesn't include a reference to a "COVID-19 Medical Advisory Committee." That committee was behind the safety protocols put in place for athletes to return to campus for voluntary workouts beginning June 15. That committee will play a major role in the decisions to proceed with...